thanks for the reply and the welcome. i'm a long time reader.

i think what i'm remembering is one of the star alliance announcement emails in which future enhancements were discussed and one way rewards was one of them.

so, your suspicion is that even when they allow this online or via phone it will cost easy pass amounts and saver pass won't be available as an option? i prefer continental over any airline but i do like the fact that american airlines allows the purchase of a one way award at any mileage level based on availability.